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Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Michael Graw
Aug. 15, 2024
3 min read
Michael Graw
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Summary
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a rewards card with no annual fee that offers up to 5% cash back on travel purchases, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases. It also offers a welcome bonus of an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. It’s a great card for anyone who wants cash back without an annual fee.

Pros

  • Earn up to 5% cash back
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Requires a minimum credit score of 670

Chase Freedom Unlimited® at a glance

9.2
Editorial score

Fees

No annual fee, 3% foreign transaction fee
9.0

APR

19.74% - 28.49% Variable
9.0

Security

FDIC insured, SSL encryption, biometric authentication and two-factor authentication
9.0

Customer service

24/7 service with multiple communication options
10.0

Online experience

Excellent site and app with detailed FAQs, help center, and transparency of rates and features
9.0

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Unlimited® Visit Site

Overview

Chase Bank is the largest issuer of credit cards in the world, with more than 149 million cards in circulation. The company has nearly 40 personal and business cards available, including numerous cash back and travel rewards cards.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers cash back rewards with no annual fee. You can get 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Cash back rewards never expire as long as your account is open. In addition, the card comes with a welcome bonus of 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back and 0% intro APR for 15 months (then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49% Variable).

Suitable for?

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is suitable for anyone who wants to earn cash back on their purchases but doesn’t want to pay an annual fee. The card’s cash back rewards are extremely generous compared to most other credit cards with no annual fee.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is also a good option if you want to take a break from paying interest on an existing credit card balance. You’ll pay no interest on balance transfers or new purchases for your first 15 months as a cardholder. 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a lot of similarities to the Chase Freedom Flex®, which also has no annual fee. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® doesn’t have rotating bonus categories, so it’s the better option if you don’t want to worry about timing your purchases to maximize cash back.

Interest Rates and Fees 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® doesn’t have an annual fee.

You get 0% APR for 15 months, after which balances carry an interest rate of 19.74% - 28.49% Variable. Your rate is determined when you’re approved for the card.

For balance transfers, you’ll pay the greater of $5 or 5% of the transfer amount. For transfers made in the first 60 days after account opening, the fee is reduced to the greater of $5 or 3% of the transfer amount. 

Foreign transactions incur a 3% fee.

Annual Fee

Interest Rate

Foreign Transaction Fee

Balance Transfer Fee

$0

0% for 15 months, then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable

3%

Greater of $5 or 5%

Rewards & Cash back

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers generous cash back rewards. First, you can earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back.

You’ll earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠. Travel purchased with your card is eligible for up to $6,000 in trip interruption insurance. You also get 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases. All other purchases earn 1.5% cash back. Cash back never expires as long as your account is open.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also comes with three months of DoorPass and Instacart+ for free, giving you $0 delivery from DoorDash and Instacart. Through March 31, 2025, you’ll earn 5% cash back on Lyft purchases instead of the typical 1.5%. 

The Application Process

You can apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® online or in person at any Chase Bank branch. There are more than 4,700 Chase Bank branches across the US. 

The online application takes less than five minutes. You must provide your name, address, email, phone number, birthday, social security number, employment status, and annual income. Chase will run a hard credit check and issue an approval decision instantly. You must have a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

If you’re approved, Chase will mail your card to you. It typically arrives in 7-10 days.

Help & Support

Chase offers 24/7 customer support by phone. You can also get help during business hours at any Chase Bank branch. The support team is very responsive, and wait times on the phone are generally short.

Chase’s website includes an FAQs page and a help center. You’ll find guides to paying your statement, reporting a fraudulent transaction, and more.

Security

Chase uses SSL encryption, biometric authentication, and two-factor authentication to protect your online account. You can lock your card at any time and set up custom alerts to be notified of new transactions.

You’re never responsible for fraudulent transactions on your card. You can easily report your card lost or stolen using your online account and dispute fraudulent transactions.

FAQ

Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and  Chase Freedom Flex®?

Yes, you can have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and  Chase Freedom Flex®. The two cards offer similar rewards, and neither has an annual fee. Using them in combination can help you maximize your cash back for different purchases.

How do I redeem cash back from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card?

You can redeem cash back earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Cash back can be applied as a statement credit or sent directly to you as a check. 

Conclusion

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers generous cash back rewards with no annual fee. It’s a great card if you spend a moderate amount on travel or dining and don’t want to manage rotating bonus categories. It also comes with 0% intro APR for 15 months, making this card a good choice if you want to pause interest on an existing credit card balance. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Freedom Unlimited® Visit Site

Methodology

This review was completed based on information on the Chase website and my own experience as a Chase credit card customer.

Michael Graw
Written by
Michael Graw
Michael Graw is a Bellingham, Washington-based writer focusing on finance, tech, and science. His work has been featured in print magazines and high-impact websites. He writes for BestMoney and enjoys helping readers make sense of the options on the market.‎
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